With a nod of recognition to the composer – who himself let twenty-two years go by after completing his First Piano Concerto before starting on the Second – Hélène Grimaud notes that she’s needed every bit of the fifteen years that have passed since she recorded Brahms’s First to prepare herself for recording No.2. The explanation behind the sheer length of this musical journey lies in the particularly close relationship she enjoys with the D minor Concerto which, among other things, was the first work by Brahms she ever heard. Grimaud can still clearly recall that discovery, though her feelings about it are hard to put into words: “It’s something that completely consumes you, leaving no room for anything else at all – a new universe opens up to you and you just dive right in without a second thought.”

To her, the Concerto represents life itself, our very existence: “You land right in the heart of the action of that existence and there’s no turning back”. She acknowledges that it’s a work she needs, both physically and mentally, highlighting the unadorned, uncompromising side of its nature: “It gives the impression of having been written at one sitting, even though we know that’s not the case.” With reference to the second movement, dedicated to Clara Schumann, Grimaud pinpoints one impassioned, almost prayer-like moment, which has to be played with both intellectual and emotional honesty if the truth of the work is to be brought out: “You can only truly touch an audience if you play with sincerity. Even then, there’s no guarantee, given that we all perceive things in different ways. No single performance can touch every member of an audience in exactly the same way, but at the very least that basic parameter of sincerity has to be present.”

Her relationship with the Second Piano Concerto, meanwhile, is more complex, and somewhat paradoxical. For a long time it seemed less vital to her than the First. She felt its finale, however sublime, was surplus to requirements. “If many people prefer the Second, that’s perhaps because of its intensity of expression. It looks at what life has been, what it is and what it could have been. There’s a kind of nostalgia there, as well as a slightly bitter strain of tenderness.”

Even so, the idea of never broaching the work was unthinkable. She couldn’t imagine going through life without it – because of her relationship with Brahms, an affinity dating back to her childhood. His music gives her a sense of intimacy that she simply accepts, without attempting to explain or justify it in any way. She began work on the B flat Concerto in 2007, but it took time for her to feel completely at home with it, as she herself recalls: “I was very wary of it. It was as if I were observing both the work and myself in relation to it. There was a distance between us that wasn’t conducive to a truly successful outcome. I learned it, performed it twice, then said to myself, ‘well, mission accomplished, that’s enough for now’.”

Another five years went by before she felt irresistibly drawn to go back to the Second Concerto, and this time to embrace it fully, without reservations. And as she embarked on this new relationship, she also began to feel a similar urge to revisit the First. The thought of one without the other, of recording the Second without the First resurfacing, had become inconceivable. And so this album project took shape. Grimaud is keen to point out, however, that she did not deliberately set out to reinterpret Concerto No.1: “That’s not the way I work. As you evolve, as you experience certain things, you filter a familiar piece of music through your new experiences and encounters. In some ways your interpretation changes, in others it stays the same. It’s the idea of reconciling opposites.”

She recorded Concerto No.1 with theBavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and No.2 with the Vienna Philharmonic – her first recording with this prestigious orchestra – both led by Andris Nelsons, a conductor she greatly admires, and with whom she has a strong fellow-feeling. She pays him tribute, saying, “You sense that musicians would do anything for him. I spoke earlier about the essential role played by intellectual honesty when you’re performing, and that’s true here as well. There’s a purity about him which I think inspires a different reaction from his musicians … He has intensity, musical intelligence and a sense of freedom, but there’s also something that emanates from him which has to do with instinct and that purity of intent – and it makes you want to give your all.”

Connect With Us

Music Direct - Free Shipping Policy

Place a qualifyingorderover $49* and receive FREE DOMESTIC GROUND SHIPPING.When your order subtotal reaches $49 in the shopping cart the shipping charge for associated qualifying items will automatically be adjusted on your order. If you continue to see a shipping charge on your order, please check the exclusions listed below.

*Ground shipping to the 48 contiguous states only (FPO/APO excluded).
**Orders must be at least $49, before tax, to qualify.
This offer also excludes Oppo, demos, closeouts/sale items and freight shipped items.
This offer cannot be applied to previously placed orders.
Music Direct reserves the right to select the carrier and ship method within the terms of this offer.
Music Direct reserves the right to change the terms of this promotion or discontinue this offer at any time.
This offer is not included on any shipments to FPO/APO addresses. Music Direct will contact you with shipping charges for these addresses.
Customers can choose an alternative expedited shipping method but it will not qualify for this free shipping offer.

Please Note: Orders that are less than $99 are not guaranteed to ship via FedEx. The ground shipping method used will be determined at Music Direct's discretion. Average ground delivery time ranges from 7-14 business days. Music Direct does not guarantee delivery within that specified time period.

Return Policy

At Music Direct our message has always been clear: It's the music that matters! As the leading seller of audiophile products, we stand behind the quality of our goods. Our shipments are carefully inspected and packed before leaving our warehouse, but in the event you are not satisfied with your purchase, please take note of the following return policy:

Music Direct offers a 60-day money back guarantee on most equipment/accessories (excluding fluids, pastes, aerosols and special order items, none of which are returnable).

We'll require an explanation for the return (defective, damaged, etc). Don't be surprised if we ask you some pretty detailed questions about the reason for your return. Hearing first hand what our customers are experiencing will enable us to provide you with the best possible service.

Returns will not be accepted without a Return Authorization #, or RMA# which must be obtained by phone or email. An RA must be obtained within 60 days of the purchase, and Music Direct must receive the package within 15 days of issuing the RA. Note that after 60 days all sales are final. Please write your RA# on the outside of the shipping box (not the product box). Failure to do this will delay the processing of your return. Your return package must include the following: a copy of your invoice, a note detailing the reason for the return, all original packing materials, including cables, power supplies, instructions, remote controls, warranty cards, etc. Your package must arrive in resalable condition. If these instructions are not followed your return will not be accepted.

If your return package is deemed acceptable after inspection, Music Direct will refund the purchase price of the returned item. Shipping costs will NOT be refunded. Return shipping costs are also the responsibility of the customer. Music Direct will absorb the shipping costs only in the case of defective merchandise (this does not include shipping costs for defective music titles, which is the responsibility of the customer). Please note that if defective merchandise proves to be non-defective upon inspection, or if Music Direct otherwise determines the customer is exercising chronic abuse of the return policy, the customer will be charged a re-stocking fee at Music Direct's discretion. Music Direct also reserves the right to impose a re-stocking fee at our discretion for any returned item that is damaged, cosmetically dinged or returned missing accessories. Also please note, if you received Free Shipping with your initial order and you returned the non-defective item, we will deduct the initial shipping fee from your refund. Any and all packages that are refused delivery and sent back to music direct without an RMA number will not be refunded the initial shipping charge and a restocking fee will be added to the return.

We strongly recommend sending your return package via UPS or FedEx so it can be insured and tracked (this is especially important with heavy, fragile, and more expensive items). If a return is sent via US Mail, then the customer accepts all responsibility if the package is lost, stolen, or damaged in transit. Music Direct is not liable for any uninsured packages.

A note about phono cartridges and music titles:
Phono cartridges and music titles are non-refundable and returnable only if they are defective. If by rare occurrence you receive a defective cartridge or music title, they may only be exchanged for the same item. In the case of phono cartridges, they must be deemed defective by the manufacturer before they can be exchanged. Please make sure phono cartridge problems are not due to user error as the item will not be returnable in such cases.

At Music Direct, we strive to provide the best possible customer service. If you are experiencing problems/difficulties with your merchandise we recommend consulting our highly qualified staff of audio specialists before returning any items as they may be able to help you resolve any issues.

A note to international customers

If you have purchased a powered hardware product please know that Music Direct sells products which are meant to be used in the USA on a 120VAC/60Hz circuit. If you are not in the USA, it is your responsibility to ensure that the unit receives the proper voltage via a step up and/or step down voltage converter. Using this device on a voltage or frequency that is not 120VAC/60Hz may cause damage to the unit and greatly increases the risk of bodily harm or even fire. Music Direct cannot be held responsible for damage to a unit that is not used on 120VAC/60Hz. Music Direct will also not be able to provide you with warranty service or a replacement unit.

Due to the extreme cost of shipping products internationally, should you receive a defective piece of hardware or music title Music Direct will not pay for the return shipping of the item back to Music Direct. All costs related to shipping an item for a return to and from Music Direct must be covered by the customer.

Customers who refuse or abandon shipments will be charged all fees that Music Direct has incurred to retrieve your package.

We look forward to providing you with the best customer service in the future.

Help & Technical Support

Hours

Office

Music Direct
1811 W Bryn Mawr Ave

Chicago, IL 60660

Phone: 1-312-433-0200
Fax: 1-312-433-0011

Welcome to the newly updated Music Direct website!

If this is your first visit to the newly updated Musicdirect.com website and you have an existing account, you need to reset your password here before being able to make a purchase, view your wish list or leave a review.

If you need help finding your way around, check out our Q&A Help section here.